Roll construction



Oct. 1, 1935. J. L. DRAKE ROLL CONSTRUCTION Filed July 11, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l doH/v L. DEA KE. MW

ttorneg Oct. 1, 1935. J. L. DRAKE ROLL CONSTRUCTION Filed July 11, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 for c o o o o a o o o o a 0 0 o o 0 31mm doH/v L. 064

Gttorneg Patented Oct. 1, 1935 r OFFICE ROLL CONSTRUCTION John LlDrake, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Libbey- Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application July 11, 1932, Serial No. 621,820

20 Claims.

The present invention relatesbroadly to roll constructions and more particularly to improvements in fluidcooled rolls adapted primarily for use in the manufacture of sheetor plate glass.

An important object of this invention resides in the provision of novel means for effecting a more accurate and uniform cooling of therolls employed in the formation of sheet glass, whereby to prevent or minimize the tendency thereof to warp and thereby assist in the formation of a sheet of more uniform thickness and flatness.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of cooling means designed to efiect a relatively greater cooling action upon the roll at the center thereof than at its opposite ends. 7

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of cooling means adjustable with respect to the roll casing for localizing or concentrating the cooling action upon any desired portion of the periphery of the roll circumferentially thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a portion of onetype of sheetglass forming machine showing the present invention incorporated therewith,

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectionpartially in elevation, of one end of a pair of sheet forming rolls, showing the means for supplying the cooling fluid thereto, 1

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the central portion of one ofthe forming rolls,

Fig. 4 is an elevation of one of the adjusting plates, and

Fig. 5 is a view of approximately, one-half of the cooling fluid supply member flattened vout or developedto show the arrangement of the openings for the distribution of the cooling fluid.

Although it is to be expressly understood that the fluid cooled roll herein provided is not limited to use in connection with any particular type of sheet glass forming apparatus, yet it has been illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, by way of example, in association with the well known Bicherouxtype of machine which is adapted for the intermittent formation of successive sheets of glass.

Briefly stated, this machine embodies in its construction a receiver I within which the charge of molten glass H to be reduced to sheet form is poured. Associated with one end of the receiver are the two forming rolls l2 and I3 respectively spaced from one another to create a sheet forming pass therebetween. The charge .of molten glass I I is moved from the receiver l0 through the sheet forming passwherein it is reduced by the rolls to a sheet I4 of substantially uniform and predetermined thickness. As the sheet leaves the forming rolls, it is received upon aninclined apron or runway l5 and, while still plastic, is deflected into the horizontal plane and conveyed by means of the rolls IE or other suitable conveying means to an annealing leer wherein it is annealed and the temperature thereof gradually reduced as is well known in the art.

Each of the forming rolls l2 and I3 comprises, as. best shown in Fig. 3; a cylindrical casing 11 preferably of uniform diameter and which may be made of either cast iron or some suitable noncorrosive metal. Carried at the opposite ends of the casing I! are the end portions l8 and [9 respectively. The forming rolls l2 and I3 are rotatably supported. at each end by the bearings 20 and 2| respectively (Fig. 2) within which the corresponding end portion l8 or 19 is journaled. One of the forming rolls, and as here shown the roll I3,-is adapted to be positively driven and, for this purpose, may carry at oneend thereof a gear 22 driven by any suitable driving mechanism, the roll 12 being preferably driven from roll l3 by intermeshing gears 23 and 24 (Fig. 1) carried at the ends of the rollremote from gear 22.

Each. forming roll is hollow and provided with a continuous bore therethrough open at its opposite ends. This bore is of a substantially uniform diameter throughout the entire length of easing I! to provide a chamber 25, while that portion of the bore extending through each end portion 18 and I 9 tapers outwardly from the chamber as at 26 and terminates in a cylindrical portion 21 of a relatively smaller diameter.

Mounted within the chamber 25 of each roll casing I1 is acylindrical tubular member 28 provided with a relatively large number of small openings communicating with the interior of the casing as will be more fully hereinafter described. This tubular member is maintained spaced from the inner wall of the casing and 60 cooperates therewith to define a passageway 28' therebetween for the passage '.of the cooling fluid. The tubular member 28 is provided with the imperforate tapering end portions 29 and 30 respectively which are received within the tapered portions 26 of the roll bore and which terminate in cylindrical end portions 3| and 32 received within the cylindrical portions 21 of said bore.

Mounted within the tubular member 28 is an imperforate shell 33 spaced from and cooperating with said tubular member to define a passageway 34 therebetween. Carried at the opposite ends of the shell are the imperforate conical end portions 35 and 36 respectively which are received within the tapered end portions 29 and 30 of the tubular member 28. The shell 33 is maintained in a definite predetermined relation with respect to tubular member 28 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner such as by welding or the like.

The cylindrical end portions 3| and 32 of each tubular member 28 project beyond the opposite ends of the roll casing I! as indicated at 31 in Fig. 2, with each projecting end portion being supported within a bearing 38 carried by a bearing housing 39. This housing is divided by a vertical partition wall 48 to provide an inlet chamber 4| and an outlet chamber 42. Communicating with the inlet chamber 4| is an inlet conduit 43, while leading from the outlet chamber 42 is an outlet conduit 44. Extending between and connecting the bearing housing 39 with the roll casing H is a sleeve 45 spaced from and cooperating with the projecting end portion 31 of the tubular member 28 to define a passageway 48. The projecting end portion of the tubular member 28 is provided within the inlet chamber 4| with a plurality of inlet openings 41.

In the operation of the invention as thus far described, the cooling fiuid such as, for example, water, is adapted to be introduced into the opposite ends of the tubular member 28 and caused to flow from the opposite ends of the casing II. More specifically, the cooling fiuid is introduce.- into each end of each roll through the inlet conduit 43, the fluid entering the inlet chamber 4| in bearing housing 39 and passing into the tubular member 28 through the openings 41. The cooling fluid flows toward the center of the roll and is deflected by the conical end portions 35 and 38 of shell 43 into the passageway 34 between the shell and tubular member. The cooling fluid then discharges from the tubular member through the openings therein into the casing H where it contacts with the inner wall thereof to efiect the desired cooling of the roll. The fiuid then flows toward the opposite ends of the casing through the passageway 28' between the tubular member and inner wall of the casing, and then discharges from the opposite ends of the casing through passages 46 into the outlet chambers 42 and thence through outlet conduits 44.

The present invention also contemplates the provision of novel means for effecting a relatively greater cooling action upon the roll at the central portion thereof than at its opposite ends, and further, for localizing or concentrating the cooling action upon any desired portion of the periphery of the roll circumferentially thereof. These objects are attained by the novel arrangement of the fiuid distributing openings formed in the tubular member 28 and further, in the making of the said tubular member rotatable with respect to the roll casing i. g

In Fig. 5, approximately one-half of the tubular member 28 has been flattened out or developed to show the arrangement of the distributing openings through which the cooling fluid passes from said member into the roll casing. Thus, throughout substantially two-thirds of the circumference of the tubular member, such as for example from points a to b, the distributing openings 48 are substantially equi-distantly spaced both longitudinally and circumferentially thereof so that a uniform distribution of the cooling fiuid is had. In other words, the openings 48 are arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel rows spaced circumferentially around approximately two-thirds of the circumference of the tubular member. However, throughout the remaining one-third of the circumference of the tubular member, for example from c to d, the distributing openings 49 are arranged closer together both longitudinally and circumferentially to the end that that portion of the periphery of the roll casing opposite the openings 49 will be given a more localized or concentrated cooling action than that portion of the periphery of the roll casing opposite the openings 48. y

The openings 49 are arranged in a plurality of rows extending longitudinally of the tubular member, with the openings in adjacent rows being staggered and the openings in alternate rows in substantial alignment with one another. The rows of openings 49 also diverge from the opposite ends of the tubular member toward the center thereof, and arranged at substantially the central'portion of the tubular member between the rows of openings 49 are the additional relatively shorter rows of openings 58, the provision of which effects a greater cooling action at the center of the roll casing than toward the opposite ends thereof. Furthermore, it is preferred that the openings 50 in each row be arranged slightly closer to one another from the outer ends of the row to the center thereof so that the cooling action gradually increases toward and is greatest at the center of the roll.

The tubular member 28 is, as set forth above, rotatably mounted within the casing I! and, to effect rotation thereof, there is carried at the outer end of each tubular member a hand wheel 5| having a plurality of openings 52 therein. This wheel is secured by means of a fastening element 53 to a plug 54 fitting within and closing the adjacent end of the tubular member. When it is desired to rotate the tubular member, it is simply necessary to turn the hand wheel 5|. and

this wheel may then be secured in proper adjusted position by means of a securing element 55 passing through one of the openings 52 and received within an opening formed in the portion 56 of the cooling fiuid supply means.

In the formation of sheet glass by a rolling operation, such as in accordance with the Bicheroux process referred to above, it is frequently necessary that one portion of the roll periphery be subjected to a relatively greater cooling action than another portion thereof so as to oifset a corresponding greater amount of heat whereby to prevent or minimize the tendency of the roll to warp. With the present invention, and simply upon rotation of the tubular member 28, it is possible to concentrate the cooling action upon any desired portion of the periphery of the roll casing in order to obtain a uniform cooling thereof. Furthermore, the rolls usually become hotter at their centers than toward their opposite ends, and with the present arrangement, a localized cooling action is also had at the middle of the roll to compensate for this increased heating. By maintaining the roll at a more uniform temperature and thus preventing or minimizing warpage thereof, it will of course be appreciated that a sheet of more uniform thickness and flatness may,

be obtained.

It'is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to, be

Taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without, departing from the spiritof the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In combination in a fluid cooled ran, an

supplying a coolingfluid to said member, and

means for rotating said member relative to said casing.

2. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a normally stationary fluid supply memberarranged within said casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, means for supplying a cooling fluid to said member, means for rotating said member relative to said casing, and means for securing said fluid supply member in adjusted position.

3. In combination ina fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and having. a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling ac tion upon one portion of the "casing than upon another portion thereof, means for feeding a.

cooling fluid into the opposite ends of said member, means for conducting said fluid from the opposite ends of said casing, and means for rotating said member relative to said casing.

4. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greatercooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, means for feeding a cooling fluid into the opposite ends of said member, means for conducting said fluid from the opposite ends of said casing, meansfor rotating said member relative to said casing, and

means for securing said adjusted position. V

5. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a tubular normaily stationary fluid supply member extending through the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of, the casing than upon another portion thereof, a hollow imperfofluid supply member in rate member arranged within said supply memher and maintained in predetermined spaced relation with respect thereto, means for supplying v acooling fluid to said tubular member, and means for rotating said fluid supply member and imperforate member relative to said casing.

6. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a tubular normally stationary fluid supply member extending through .the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, a hollow imperforate member arranged within said supply memher and maintained in predetermined spaced relation with respect thereto, means for supplying a cooling fluid to said tubular member, means for rotating said fluid supply member and imperforate member relative to said casing, and means for securing the fluid supply member in adjusted position.

7. In combination in a flu-id cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a tubular normally stationary fluid supply member extending through the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater coolingaction upon one portion of the-casing than upon another portion thereof, a hollow imperiorate member arranged within said simply memberand maintained in predetermined spaced relation with respect thereto, means for feeding a cooling fluid into the opposite ends of said tubular supply member, means for conducting said fluid from the opposite ends of said casing, and

means for rotating said fluid supply member and imperforate member relative to said casing.

8. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer cylindrical casing, a tubular fluid supply member extending through the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, a hollow imperforate member arranged within said supply member and maintained in predetermined spaced relation with respect thereto, means for feeding a cooling fluid into the opposite ends of said tubular supply member, means for conducting said fluid from the opposite ends of said casing, means for rotating said fluid supply member and imperforate member relative to said casing, andmeansiifor securing the fluid supply member in adjuste position.

9. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer cylindrical casing, a tubular fluid supply member arranged within the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows spaced circumferentially of said member, certain of the rows of openings being closer together than other of said rows of openings whereby to eflect arelameans for supplying a cooling fluid to said member, and means for rotating said member relative to said casing. i

10. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer cylindrical casing, a tubular fluid-supply member arranged within the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows spaced circumferentially of said member, certain of the rows of openings be'ing closer together than other o said rows of openings whereby to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing'than upon another portion thereof, a hollow imperforate member arranged within-said.

fluid supply member and maintained in predetermined spaced relation with respect thereto, means for feeding a cooling fluid into the opposite ends of said tubular supply member, means for conducting the fluid'from the opposite ends of said casing. and means for rotating said fluid supply member and imperforate member relative to the casing.

11. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer cylindrical casing, a tubular fluid supply member arranged within the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows spaced circumferentially of said member, certain of the rows of openings being closer together than other of said rows of openings whereby to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, the more closely arranged rows of openings diverging from the opposite ends of the member toward the center thereof, means for supplying a cooling fluid to said member, and means for rotating said member relative to said casing.

12. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer cylindrical casing, a tubular fluid supply member arranged within the casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows spaced circumferentially of said member, certain of the rows of openings being closer together than other of said rows of openings whereby to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the caring than upon another portion thereof, the more closely arranged rows of openings diverging from the opposite ends of said member toward the center thereof, said member being provided with additional relatively shorter rows of openings interposed between the more closely arranged rows of openings at substantially the .center of said member, means for supplying a cooling fluid to said member, and means for rotating the member relative to said casing.

13. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable-cylindrical casing, bearings for rotatably supporting the casing at its opposite ends, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and projecting therebeyond at its opposite ends, means arranged outwardly of said bearings for supporting the opposite ends of the fluid supply member, said member having a plurality of openings discharging into .the casing, with the openings being arranged to efiect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, means for feeding a cooling fluid intothe opposite ends of said member, means for conducting said fluid from the opposite ends of said casing, and means for rotating said member relative to said casing.

14. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, bearings for rotatably supporting the casing at its opposite ends, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and projecting therebeyond at its opposite ends, means arranged outwardly of said bearings for supporting the opposite ends of the fluid supply member, said member having a plurality of openings discharging into the casing, with the openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, means for feeding a cooling fluid into the opposite ends of said member, means for conducting said fluid from the opposite ends of' said casing, means for rotating said member relative to said casing, and means for securing the fluid supply member in adjusted position. 5

15. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, bearings for rotatably supporting the casing at its opposite ends, anormally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and projecting therebeyond at its opposite ends, said member having a plurality of openings discharging into the casing, with the openings being arranged to efiect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, bearing housings arranged outwardly of said bearings for supporting the projecting end portions of said member, each housing being provided with an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said member being in communication with the inlet chamber and the casing in communication with the outlet chamber; means for introducing a cooling medium into the inlet chambers, means for conducting the said medium from said outlet chambers, and means for rotating the fluid supply member relative to the casing.

16. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, bearings for rotatably supporting the casing at its opposite ends, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and projecting therebeyond at its opposite ends, said member having a plurality of openings discharging into the casing, with the openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, bearing housings arranged outwardly of said bearings for supporting the projecting end portions of said member, each housing being provided with an inlet chamber and an outlet cham- 40 her, said member having openings communicating with the inlet chamber, a sleeve encircling the member between each bearing housing and the respective bearing and cooperating with said member to define a passage-way leading from the 45 casing to the outlet chamber, means for introducing a cooling medium into the inlet chambers, means for conducting the said medium from said outlet chambers, means for rotating the fluid sup ply member relative to the casing, and means for 50 securing the said member in adjusted position.

17. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a normally stationary tubular fluid supply member arranged within said casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings extending in a plurality of rows both longitudinally and circumferentially of the fluid supply member and being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, means forsupplying a cooling fluid to said member, means for rotating the fluid supply member relative to said casing, and means for securing said member in adjusted position.

18. In combination in a fluid cooled roll, an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged 70 to efiect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing longitudinally thereof than upon another portion; means for supplying a cooling fluid to said fluid supply member, means for rotating said member relative to said casing 75 to localize the greater cooling action upon any desired portion of the casing circumferentially thereof, and means for securing the said member in adjusted position.

19. In apparatus for producing sheet glass, a pair of rotatable forming rolls adapted to receive a body of molten glass and reduce it to sheet form, each of said rolls comprising an outer rotatable cylindrical casing, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to effect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing than upon another portion thereof, means for supplying a cooling fluid to said member, means for rotating said member relative to said casing, and means for securing said fluid supply member in adjusted position.

cylindrical casing, a normally stationary fluid supply member arranged within said casing and having a plurality of openings discharging therefrom, said openings being arranged to efiect a relatively greater cooling action upon one portion of the casing longitudinally thereof than upon another portion, means for supplying a cooling fluid to said fluid supply member, means for rotating said member relative to said casing to localize the greater cooling action upon any desired portion of the casing circumferentially thereof, and means 15 for securing the said member in adjusted position.

JOHN L. DRAKE. 

